Eggcrate as a base in a aquarium...

[abe77901]

What do you guys think of using eggcrate as the base in an aquarium, its cheaper than starboard, will hold rock better, can vacuum easier, and the mess that gathers at the bottom will be hidden till you gravel vac it. Just a thought, and wondering if anyone has done it for bare bottom purposes.

[brewercm]

Only reason I was thinking starboard was because it didn't really look like barebottom but is basically. Still undecided on mine but that would be an interesting idea. I wonder how long it would be before it all got covered in coraline algae though, it seams to grow on plastic (at least acrylic) quick.

[Thunderkat]

Sounds like you got a plan to do it already. Give it a shot let us know how things work out. It is probably a good idea though because you have more surface area for bacteria to grow on than starboard. Let us know how it works out.

[JimD]

I woudnt recommend it, it would be next to impossible to vacuum the detritus out from under the rocks, plus, cosmeticly, it wouldnt be very natural looking.

[blueboy]

i have an eggcrate in my tank with special grade reef sand mixed with some coarser subsrate. i did it mostly to protect the bottom of the tank from rockfalls(which had been a problem in my previous narrow tank), but i have always been concerned about it contributing to dead spots in the substrate. i look up from the bottom and it doesn't look too bad, a couple of dark spots under major base rocks. i'll be moving in about a week, so nows the time to decide if i want to remove it, what do ya'll think?

[Andrew]

I use eggcrate on the bottom glass so my rock won't slide around, even with digging critters. Also, have 1-2" of sand on top.

andrew

[TroyPham]

thinking about doing the same as you Andrew in the new system. but with a deeper sand bed. 3-4"